The Sublime Secrets of Florence: A Tour of Its Hidden Gems.
Explore the Undiscovered Beauty of Florence
Get ready to step away from the well-trodden paths of Florence and be immersed in a journey through the city’s hidden masterpieces and secret stories. This exclusive three-day tour is designed for those who have already marvelled at Florence’s iconic landmarks but are eager to uncover its hidden gems. From the awe-inspiring sculptures of the Bargello and the quiet magnificence of Giotto’s Crucifix, to Michelangelo’s “secret” drawings and the private world of the Vasari Corridor, every moment reveals a side of Florence few ever experience. Follow in the footsteps of Renaissance masters, discover frescoes and artworks tucked away in unassuming chapels, and feel the intimacy of Florence’s artistic legacy in spaces untouched by the crowds. Perfect for seasoned travellers and art lovers, this tour promises a deeper, richer connection to the city’s history and culture. Florence as you’ve never seen it.
Dates
Friday 17 – Sunday 19 October 2025
Fee
€ 1800
Here’s what to expect on the Florence tour.
Day 1
AM 09:30
Meet at Caffe Concerto Paszkowski, Piazza della Repubblica, 6, 50123 Firenze FI
During a short walking tour through central Florence’s Piazza della Repubblica, you will view the exteriors of the Baptistery, Duomo, and Palazzo Medici.
AM 10:00
The Church of Orsanmichele
Orsanmichele is a fascinating building in Florence, Italy, that has served multiple purposes over the centuries. Originally constructed as a grain market in the 14th century, it eventually became a church in the 14th and 15th centuries. What makes Orsanmichele truly remarkable is its distinctive architecture: a striking combination of Gothic and Renaissance styles. The building features a series of niches along its exterior, each containing statues of saints, many of which were created by famous artists like Donatello, Ghiberti, and Verrocchio. Inside, the church retains a simple yet elegant design, with a stunning altarpiece and frescoes adorning the walls. Its history as both a marketplace and a religious site gives Orsanmichele a unique cultural and architectural significance, standing as a symbol of Florence's devotion to both commerce and spirituality.e Republic of Florence in 1296 that houses the magnificent bronze Florence Baptistry Doors.
PM 13:00
Group Lunch
PM 15:00
The Bargello Museum
The day continues at The Bargello Museum. Once a castle or fortified tower, it is renowned for its impressive collection of Renaissance art, particularly its exceptional sculptures. Housed in a former 13th-century prison, the museum showcases works by some of the greatest Italian artists, including Donatello, Michelangelo, and Verrocchio. Key highlights include Donatello's iconic David, the first freestanding nude sculpture since antiquity, and his Saint George.
Day 2
AM 09:30
Meet at Caffe Concerto Paszkowski, Piazza della Repubblica, 6, 50123 Firenze FI.
AM 10:00
Casa Buonarotti
Visiting Casa Buonarroti offers a unique and intimate experience with the life and works of Michelangelo. Housed in a Renaissance palace, the museum features early sculptures like the Madonna of the Stairs and Battle of the Centaurs, showcasing the artist's evolving genius. The collection also includes personal artifacts, letters, and family memorabilia, offering insights into Michelangelo’s life and legacy.
AM 11:30
Michelangelo's ‘secret’ drawings in San Lorenzo & Lorenziana Library
Visiting the secret drawings of Michelangelo in the Church of San Lorenzo offers a truly unique glimpse into the genius of the Renaissance master. Hidden away in the Medici Chapel, these intricate sketches are believed to have been created by Michelangelo during his work on the tombs of the Medici family. The drawings, displayed in a hidden room, reveal his creative process, showcasing rough sketches, detailed studies of human anatomy, and preliminary designs for sculptures. These private, unfinished works provide an intimate view of Michelangelo’s artistic mind, offering visitors a rare chance to witness his evolving ideas and deep understanding of form. The atmosphere in the chapel is quiet and reverential, adding to the sense of discovering a long-guarded treasure that reflects both the mastery and the vulnerability of the artist.
PM 13:00
Lunch (participants' own)
PM 15:00
Last Supper, Andrea Castagno, Sant ’Apollonia and Chapel of the Magi, Medici Palace
This fresco is a masterpiece by Andrea del Castagno, painted around 1447 depicts the Last Supper, with striking realism and emotional intensity.
Located in the former convent of Sant’Apollonia, the fresco is part of a larger cycle of works decorating the refectory of the convent
Located within the Medici Palace, the chapel showcases the wealth and influence of the Medici family during the Renaissance.This private chapel, designed by Benozzo Gozzoli, features stunning frescoes depicting the Procession of the Magi (c. 1459–1461).
Day 3
AM 09:00
Meet at Caffe Concerto Paszkowski, Piazza della Repubblica, 6, 50123 Firenze FI.
AM 10:00
Giotto Crucifix, Chiesa di San Salvatore in Ognissanti
The Giotto Crucifix in the Chiesa di San Salvatore in Ognissanti, Florence, is a masterpiece of early Renaissance art and a profound example of Giotto di Bondone's innovative contributions to religious painting. This monumental wooden crucifix, created around 1310, is a stunning depiction of Christ that marks a departure from the stiff, iconic representations of earlier periods. Giotto's work introduces a striking sense of realism, emotion, and humanity.
PM 11:30
Visit to the Vasari Corridor
The Vasari Corridor is one of Florence's most intriguing and historically rich attractions, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the art, architecture, and political history of the Renaissance. Only recently reopened following restoration, constructed in 1565 by Giorgio Vasari at the behest of Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici, this elevated passageway connects the Palazzo Vecchio, the Medici's political headquarters, to the Palazzo Pitti, their royal residence. It was designed to ensure the Medici family could move discreetly and securely between these two centers of power.
Tour Closes
Lecturer’s Biography
Aliki Braine
Born in Paris in 1976, Aliki Braine studied at The Ruskin School of Fine Art, Oxford, The Slade School of Fine Art, London, and The Courtauld Institute, where she was awarded a distinction for her master's in 17th-century painting. Aliki has been a regular lecturer at the National Gallery since 2001 and teaches at the Wallace Collection, Courtauld Gallery, and The Arts Society. She is an Associate Lecturer in the Department of Fine Art Photography at the University of the Arts London. Aliki is also a practicing artist who regularly exhibits her photographic work internationally.
Publications & Exhibitions
Books
Art; The Whole Story, Thames and Hudson (2010)
501 Artists, Barons Publishing (2007)
1001 Paintings to See Before You Die, New Burlington Books (2006)
Reviews
Robert Shore, Beg, Steal and Borrow; Artists Against Originality, Elephant Books (2017)
Pauline Martin, L’Évidence, le vide, la vie; La photographie face à ses lacunes, Ithaque Editions (2017)
Brady Wilks, Alternative Photographic Processes: Crafting Handmade Images, Focal Press (2015)
Robert Shore, Post-Photography: The Artist With a Camera, Laurence King Pub (2014)
Exhibitions
‘Veronica Bailey & Aliki Braine: Cross-Reference', dalla Rosa Gallery, London (2018)
‘Wilful Damage’, Galerie Raum Mit Licht, Vienna, Austria (2011)
‘Les Evidences du Réel; La photographie face à ses lacunes’, Musée d'art de Pully, Lausanne, Switzerland (2017)
‘Material Light’, Kulturni Centar, Belgrade, Serbia (2015)
